Joseph C Watson (1826 - 1863)

Born 21 Aug 1826 in Accomac County, Virginia

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 24 May 1863 at age 36 in Accomac County, Virginia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Pam Ellis [send private message]

Biography

Joseph was born on 24 August 1826 in Accomack County, Virginia to John Watson and Elizabeth Doughty. (Tradition has the initial “C” indicating a middle name of Crippen. This is based on the fact that his brother Thomas had a son born just two months after Joseph died, and Thomas named that son Joseph Crippen Watson.)

He married Elizabeth Bull on 23 Dec 1846 in Accomack County, Virginia. The couple had three children: James Alfred, born 9 Nov 1847; Louis Oswald, born in 1850; and Mary S. “Mamie,” born 3 Feb 1851. Note: Mary “Mamie” Watson married William L. Groton, a grandson of William D. Groton and Susan Watson.

Joseph and Elizabeth shared their home over the years with members of Elizabeth’s extended family. The 1850 Census revealed that 25-year old James Bull, a carpenter, was living with them. The 1860 Census disclosed that a William Bull and his wife Catherine Mears were residing with them, as was 19-year old Ann Bull, a seamstress. William Bull was 45 years old, Catherine was but 19. She was the sister of William’s first wife, Mary Ann Mears, who died in 1857 of pneumonia. Joseph Watson provided the necessary information for the Accomack County Register of Death, and was identified therein as “head of family.”

Joseph died of congestive fever on 24 May 1862, age 35 years and 9 months. He is buried in the Cokesbury Methodist Church Cemetery in Onancock, Accomack County, Virginia. The tombstone inscription reads:

In Memory of Joseph C. Watson Born August 24, 1826 Died May 24, 1862 Aged 35 years & 9 months Modest in manner Constant in duty Firm in the faith A good husband, a kind father An exemplary Christian He lived in faith and died in Christ His home is in heaven.

Also buried in this cemetery are his wife, his parents, and a brother, James H. Watson, who died in 1863.

According to a pamphlet published about “Historic Cokesbury Church,” the church membership was divided about the Civil War. In 1864, Southern sympathizers withdrew and formed the Market Street Methodist Church. Since Joseph died in 1862, we don’t know which side he took in this matter.

Sources

• Family Bible

• Year: 1860; Census Place: St Georges Parish, Accomack, Virginia; Roll: M653_1330; Page: 200; Image: 211; Family History Library Film: 805330

• Virginia, Deaths and Burials Index, 1853-1917

• http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=21412101&ref=acom